Uk casinos plan to ban alcohol to discourage closures

Casinos in England and Wales have suggested a ban on alcohol to prevent another series of widespread COVID-19 restrictions that could be imposed prematurely.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to launch a new three-tier structure of municipal lockdowns next week that may see casinos forced to shut again in an effort to tackle the region's growing number of COVID-19 incidents.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon introduced new COVID-19 legislation this week which forced the closing of casinos, bingo halls and other hospitality businesses in Scotland. Nevertheless, casinos in Wales and England expect to escape a similar ban south of the border.

The region's casinos were still under pressure from a hospitality and leisure places curfew of 10pm that was enforced last month. In reaction to this plan, the Betting and Gaming Council's (BGC) Chief Executive Michael Dugher said Boris Johnson had "signaled the death knell for the casino industry."

Today, the industry has said in a statement on the BGC website that it is willing to stop distributing beer entirely in order to prevent more closures.

Dugher said:

“Ministers need to understand that casinos are not pseudo-nightclubs or places where young people go to drink. 

“Nevertheless, they are willing to reduce their risk levels even further by refusing to serve alcohol, which the Government seems to think is another factor in the spread of the virus.”